• Title/Summary/Keyword: Buddhist Symbolism

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A Study on Religious Symbolism of the Costume Pattern of Tibet (티베트 복식 문양에 나타난 종교적 상징성)

  • Choi, Mijeong;Soh, Hwangoak
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.66 no.1
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    • pp.42-57
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    • 2016
  • The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet who have adapted to the region's harsh climate and environment, and developed their own culture. Religion played a central role in maintaining its traditional culture and society in the history. The objective of this study is to understand Tibetan costume and religion, and examine patterns that appear on the costume to study their religious symbolism. The significance of this study lies in explaining the symbolisms of the patterns that appear on the costume in terms of cultural maintenance and change. Based on literature review, I summarized the data about Tibet's environment, history and religion, and divided the residential district into three: ${\ddot{U}}$-Tsang, Amdo, Khamba. Then, I organized each region's characteristics and clothes, and studied Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana) costumes and features of the patterns that appear on the costumes. Through combining these data, I would like to examine the religious symbolism of the costume pattern of Tibet. Buddhism is at the heart of cultural and social maintenance and change in Tibet, and the patterns shown in the costume is influenced mostly from Buddhism. The features of general Tibetan costume vary with the region and life style, but the patterns that appear on the costume are used over a wide area to represent good luck and the spread of Buddhist teachings. The costumes for religious rites vary with religious sects, but most of the patterns are commonly used. The symbolism of pattern is a form of figure that represents the human psyche and physical world. The symbolism of pattern implies meanings such as compensation or futuristic wish. First, the lucky omen normally means long life, happiness and peace, and means religious salvation in Buddhist perspective. Second, warding off evil spirits normally means avoiding misfortune, and means dignity and self-protection, and protection of Buddhadharma in Buddhist perspective.

Cultural Symbolism and Acculturation of Temple Plants in China: Focused on 'Bodhi Tree'

  • Chai, Tian-Long;Rho, Jae-Hyun
    • Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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    • v.23 no.5
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    • pp.577-587
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    • 2020
  • Background and objective: Plants in temples are the results of cultural symbolization that embraces the experience and enlightenment of humans about life. As a way to improve the acceptance of the foreign religion, China gave cultural symbolization to plants in temple gardens through integration with traditional cultures and the understanding of the nature of plants themselves. This study aimed to identify cultural symbolism and signs of acculturation associated with Buddhist plants, targeting Bolisu, the most essential and symbolic plant in temple garden forests in China and Korea. Methods: The morphological and ecological characteristics of plants, functions, the texts that contained the history of Buddhism and literary works were examined through literature review, and the relation of Ficus religiosa with its planting conditions and nature, and Buddhist culture was explored. In addition, the cultural value of Buddhist plants themselves in establishing temples and the reason why Bolisu was planted in temples were reviewed through time series analysis. The obtained results were interpreted using an inductive method to identify substitutes for F. religiosa, cultural symbolism and signs of acculturation. Results: F. religiosa as one of the three holy trees and the five trees and six flowers in Buddhism is known as the original Bolisu. Since it grows well and is widely distributed in regions that accepted Indian Buddhism, it became the most representative holy tree in Buddhism. From the perspective of tree shape and nature, F. religiosa is in line with the Buddhist spirit of saving those in need with mercy and redeeming mankind, and figuratively shows that perfection can be attained like the fruit of Bolisu. Chines Buddhism had adopted highly symbolic plants for a long period of time as a means to spread the same belief and doctrines as Indian Buddhism. In China, however, there were only limited areas suitable for the growth of F. religiosa, and for this reason, borrowed Bolisu trees including Tilia. miqueliana, T. mandshurica and T. amurensis and other plants such as F. virens Ait. var. sublanceolata, G. biloba and M. alba were planted as a substitute in most regions, having been given with symbolism and belief as Bolisu. Conclusion: Chinese Buddhism planted the same plants as Indian Buddhism in order to enhance symbolism and also similar substitutes to express the same symbolism. This is a kind of acculturation and its influence and customs were not limited to China, but were introduced to Korea, The difference between China and Korea was that G. biloba was excluded from the substitute for Bolisu in Korea.

A Study on Space-Divisional Meaning of Stone Entrance Stairs in Bulguksa (불국사(佛國寺) 진입(進入) 석조계단(石造階段)의 공간분할적(空間分割的) 의미(意味))

  • Youm, Jung-Seop
    • Journal of architectural history
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.57-75
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    • 2007
  • Bulguk Temple, one of the national temples, sublimated the high formalism and symbolism into lovely art, and thus be called the pinnacle of Korean architecture. Of many characteristic structures of Bulguk Temple, the stone stereobate and stairs have a great importance in that we can read out the purpose of the architect through their relics. Especially, the stone stairs are noteworthy for they structuralize the intentional space division. The objects of this observation are Yeonwhagyo and Chilbogyo bridges at the entrance of Keungnakjeon precinct, and Cheongwoongyo and Baekwoongyo stairs at the entrance of Daewoongjun precinct. All these relics are the structures that divide the precinct areas on the basis of Buddhist theory and have strong symbolic meanings as well. Although the diverse studies have made on the structures, there are many insufficient aspects for the manifestation of the meanings. In this study, I considered the Buddhist dogmatic meanings of the structures in the formalistic view of the Buddhist architecture. The study was proceeded in the way that the establishments of former studies were fully reflected in it. Through the study, I could confirm that the objects of consideration have the double formalistic meanings and they are strongly structuralizing the symbolism.

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The Surrealist Expression of Buddhist Symbolism Using 3D Computer Animation (3D 애니메이션을 이용한 불교 상징성의 초현실주의적 표현)

  • Lee, Hyun-Seok
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.14 no.9
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    • pp.93-101
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    • 2014
  • My artwork, '1000 years', in the form of an animation film has been exhibited in the '2011 Haein Art project' of a special exhibition at the Haeinsa monastery compound. The '1000 years' represents the marvels of sacredness and Buddhist symbols using the surrealist expression of computer animation. This paper would argue how Buddhist idea can be explored by the surrealist expression of 3D computer animation. In the light of this, animation and surrealist expression will be reviewed by the epistemological approach and based on this, I would attempt to reveal how this computer animation film represents the meaning of Buddhist symbols which exist in the monastery compound. This research is processed by the case study related to my artwork as the form of art practice based research.

A Consideration on Relationship of Buddhist Cosmology and Temple Structure (불교우주론(佛敎宇宙論)과 사원구조(寺院構造)의 관계성 고찰)

  • Youm, Jung-Seop
    • Journal of architectural history
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.65-84
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    • 2008
  • It is generally known that the temple structure in Korea was formalized by the ceremonial principle based on the Buddhist cosmology. But, there have been no concrete studies on how far the two have relationship with each other and what significance it implies in it. In other words, even though the temple structure reflects the Sumeru Mount cosmology which is the Buddhist cosmology, there is still uncertain aspects in the relationship between them. This research is a more concrete approach on what kind of corelation the Sumeru Mount cosmology has with the Korean temple structure. For this, the levels of related documents on the Buddhist cosmology and the Sumeru Mount cosmology have been arranged first. Then, on this basis, it is searched with what symbolism the cosmology has been accepted in the temple structure. The temple is a sacred space that holds Buddha and a profane space which the sattva (ordinary people) can approach at the same time. The site of the temple is also a land that is connected to the residence of sattva and a blissful area of prayer that they can be born again through Buddha at the same time. Thus, the double characteristics of sanctity and profanity are finally inter-connected with each other in the view point of Jinsokburi(Truth and Worldliness are not different), and the temple structure reflects this significance through the symbolism very well. Therefore, the correct recognition on the temple structure can be said as an important aspect to understand the purpose of Buddhism.

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The Types and Features of Formal Ritual Hats for Tibetan Buddhist Priests (티베트 승려가 착용하는 의례용 관모의 종류와 특성)

  • Kwon, Young-Suk;Lee, Kyung-Hee
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.62 no.5
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    • pp.16-30
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    • 2012
  • This study examines the types and features of formal ritual hats for Tibetan Buddhist priests. Findings of the study are as follows. The types of formal hats that Tibetan Buddhist priests wear during religious rites or rituals include: u rgyan pad zhwa, pan zhwa, tshogs zhwa, rigs inga, zhwa nag, zhwa dmar and dwags zhwa. The reason why such formal ritual hats as listed above were developed is because the region had an alpine climate, and also because they were the symbolism of Buddhism, the most reverent priest, and reincarnated Buddha thoughts. They were an essential part of the culture of dressing Buddhist statues and offering utensils. Formal ritual hats' shapes originate from lotus. They are colored in red, yellow, indigo, green, white or black, that reflect the nationality and aesthetics of Tibetans. They are mainly made of woolen or silk fabrics. They are usually decorated with gold, git bronze or jewels and the patterns of the sun and the moon, vajra or clouds.

A Study on the Topological characteristics of the boundary space in the korean Buddhist temples architecture (한국사찰건축의 경계공간에 나타난 위상기하학적 특성에 관한 연구)

  • Bae Kang-Won;Kim Moon-Duck
    • Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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    • v.14 no.5 s.52
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    • pp.26-34
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    • 2005
  • The systematic way of the boundary thought in Buddhism, when applied to the principles of building, determines certain forms to certain temples, and organizes their topological boundary concept structure - the continuous experience of the visitor from his/her entry bridge(connecting), through the main temple gate(neighbourhood), pavilion gate(including), stairs(continuance), to the arrival at the pavilion of the god of a mountain(spiral), which reconstitutes the Buddhist boundary symbolism and philosophy. The topological boundary spaces of temples are an architectural manifestation of Buddhism's Mahayana boundary concept aspects, whose object is to play a productive and active role in the enlightenment of people, serving the very basic end of the religion. The disciplined topological boundary spaces of the temple, as a reification of the boundary symbolisms of Buddhist topological cosmology, corresponds to Buddha-Ksetra, the highest state of existence in the universe. Visitors to the temple are invited to participate in the world of abundant Buddhist boundary concept symbols, and through this process, is enabled to elevate oneself to the transcendent topological boundary world and have a simulated experience of liberation.

The Symbolism of Color of Kas ya Interpreted by Paradign of Yin-Yang and Wu-Shing (음양오행의 틀로 해석한 가미색의 비교적 의미)

  • 은영자;김장향
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.40
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    • pp.25-35
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    • 1998
  • This thesis is a study of Kas ya, robes of buddhist monk, which is having peculiarity among human clothes. I kept my attention mainly on the symbolism of the color of Kas ya. To elucidate this, I chose the principle of T -chi and Yin-yang and Wu-shing as a frame-work of interpretation. In the first place, the original meaning of Kas ya mean a name of peculiar color. The concrete names of the color are color of persimmons juice, brown, yellow tinged with red, radish brown, non-primary color etc. The main motive to dye three robes of buddhist monk from white or primary color to the color of Kas ya was to differentiate buddhist monks from heathen or laymen. Therefore, as luxurious and primary colored cloths was donated to the buddhist monks, they are necessary to discolor them. Accordingly. they established 'non-primary color' as well-mate one for a ascetic. The non-primary color is called discolored color' as a result of discoloring primary colors. The discolored color is a synonym of Kas ya and the process of discoloring is necessary for making robes of buddhist monk. Secondly, discoloring means to mash five primary color. That is say, the process of discoloring means to return five primary colors back to 'profoundity·abstruseness·obscurity, namely darkness' as the source of them. Darkness as a condition amalgamated and not appeared all materials is the source and at the same time the terminus of all colors. Therefore, color of Kas ya symbolizes 'profound color' as the ultimate meaning of discoloring. Thirdly, discoloring garments of buddhist monk symbolize to destroy evil passions and haughtiness arising in ascetic's mind as well as means don't attach to the shaped materials'. Fourthly, discoloring means to return 'color'. namely 'all kinds of shaped material' to the inherent nature. Process of discoloring means to reture to the empty. nya. nya essentially do not make any colors, but over and over again come into being and become extinct as becoming colors. R pa, by one time Yin and the other time Yang'. R pa, color is a metaplasia of nya and nya is discoloring one of all colors. Then, discoloring means R pa is nya, R pa is nya at the same time and Because this is another expression of Dharma the original meaning of Kas ya symbolize true robes. Consequently, Kas ya means truth and beyond time and space do not be changed and conserve the color of the first till now.

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The Pagan-Period and the Early-Thai Buddhist Murals: Were They Related?

  • Poolsuwan, Samerchai
    • SUVANNABHUMI
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.27-65
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    • 2014
  • Flourishing in the Central Dry Zone of Burma during a period from the mid-eleventh to the late-thirteenth century A.D., the historical kingdom of Pagan was one of the major Buddhist centers in Southeast Asia. The significance of Pagan as an important pilgrimage site of the region, where numerous relics of the Buddha were enshrined, had been maintained until long after the fall of its civilization. It is evident that the artistic influences of Pagan, particularly in the architectural and decorative domains, had been transmitted to various other Buddhist civilizations in the area. This study provides a detailed analysis on the relationships between the mural tradition of Pagan and those of its neighboring civilizations in Thailand-of the Ayutthayā, Lānnā and Sukhothai schools-dating from after the Pagan Period in the fourteenth century to the sixteenth century. Surprisingly, as the analysis of this study has suggested, such relationships seemed to be trivial, more on a minor stylistic basis than on substantial ideological and iconographic grounds. They suggest that transmission of the complex idea and superb craftsmanship of the mural tradition would not have been maintained adequately at Pagan after its civilization, probably due to the lack of royal patronage. It would have been extremely difficult for foreign pilgrims who visited Pagan after its dynastic period to appreciate the surviving murals of this lost tradition in terms of their complex programs and associated symbolism. Also, there had been a new center of the Sinhalese Buddhism firmly established in the Martaban area of lower Burma since the mid-fourteenth century that outcompeted Pagan in terms of supplying the new Buddhist ideas and tradition. Its fame spread wide and far among the Buddhist communities of Southeast Asia. Later, these Buddhist communities also established direct contact with Sri Lanka. The Sukhothai murals and the Ayutthayā murals in the crypt of Wat Rātchaburana, dating from the fourteenth/fifteenth century, show obvious Sri Lankan influence in terms of artistic style and Buddhist iconography. They could be a product of these new religious movements, truly active in Southeast Asia during that time.

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Development of Wooden Products Design Applying Traditional Floral Pattern in Korea Buddhist Temple (사찰의 꽃살문을 응용(應用)한 목제품 디자인 개발)

  • Lee, Jong-Soo;Kim, Chung-Ho
    • Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.400-407
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    • 2013
  • 21C modern society is a time when enough design to dominate the world, a unique design is required new in all aspects. In addition, there is a religion to the best of Zen art. In our cultural heritage with a ethnicity unique unparalleled in the world, and a new recognition of traditional culture and identity of its own in our country, lattice door flower temple the beauty of Korea in the way you tell, it was modernized by interpreting a new one to utilize as a design element of a wood lattice door flower temple. In this study, to re-appear in openwork having regard to the symbolism of pattern and shape of the lattice door flower temple molding properties were highlighted, change the part of the motif, repeated the curve geometric has been designed to simplify as. As a result, it is possible to present the possibility of a design element that can design a traditional Korean is reinterpreted Modern thereby simplify the repetitive element of the related art, for a new aesthetic changes unique. Design Development of wood with a Buddhist temple flower lattice modern re-interpretation, it suits while a strong indication Korea imagery and expressed a variety of needs and personality to the design elements that are competitive in the world the cage, and design of wood, various studies competitive on to be applied to each field is required.

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